January 31, 2024 – By Kaitlyn Tang, COI Intern
In the heart of downtown San Diego, the Live Well Advance Conference & Schools Summit unfolded at the beginning of November. It drew nearly 2,000 participants, featuring 50 exhibition booths, and hosting nearly 40 breakout sessions. The event served as a nexus for fostering networks and connections, all in pursuit of a shared vision—a thriving region marked by health and safety for all.
In the breakout sessions entitled Centering Community Voice: Reimagining Traditional Approaches, Shana Wright, Director of the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative (COI), Rocina Lizarraga, a tri-chair of the Community Council, and others were able to share about COI and the work we are doing in collaboration with our community. The presentation shed light on how and why the COI formed the Community Council, outlining strategic approaches. The presentation also spotlighted the concept of Collective Impact, which places an emphasis on designing and implementing initiatives with an equity lens and actively involving community members as collaborators. The model also champions the establishment of a culture grounded in trust, respect, and relationships, all finely attuned to the nuances of the local context.
Another important part of the presentation was the explanation of the revamped organizational structure of the COI with the Community Council at the center. Initially a branch of the Community Domain, the Community Council has now become central to COI, fostering cooperation across all seven domain workgroups. This alteration leads to a more cohesive and integrated approach in the structure of COI.
The Community Council’s essence lies in its authentic engagement with the community, bringing their perspectives to the forefront in goal-setting and strategic planning. The COI Community Council goes beyond traditional ways of including community voices. It actively collaborates and follows as the community takes the lead in identifying various activities and issues to work on. Noteworthy achievements include initiating a visioning process, electing tri-chairs, creating bi-laws, and analyzing qualitative data from the community.
The Live Well Advance Conference & Schools Summit emerged as a resounding success, providing a platform for COI to share about the Community Council and the impactful work they are doing. The event not only celebrated past accomplishments, but also sowed the seeds for future partnerships, further amplifying the goal of working towards a healthier, thriving community.
